Reconsidering Raw Material Selection: Skeletal Technologies and Design for Durability in Subarctic Alaska

Abstract

Raw material selection is an essential facet of technological decision making. This analysis moves beyond more typical lithic studies, investigating links between raw material selection and practical tool function by integrating data from materials science and ethnohistory with an analysis of bone and antler tools. A case study of skeletal technologies from the Alaskan subarctic offers a fresh perspective on technological strategies, especially the selection of highly durable (fracture resistant) skeletal materials to create reliable tools for use in high-risk foraging contexts.

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Publication Date

9-1-2014

Publication Title

Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory

Department

Anthropology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10816-012-9168-x

Keywords

Organization of technology, Raw material, Bone implements, Alaska

Language

English

Format

text

Link to Full Text

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